Prognostic value of geriatric nutritional risk index in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) on the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to discuss the value of the GNRI in evaluating long-term outcomes in DLBCL. METHODS: We systematically and roundly retrieved PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases from inception of the databases to March 20, 2023. At the same time, we calculated the pool hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) for overall survival and progression-free survival to assess the effect of GNRI on the prognosis of DLBCL patients. RESULTS: In our primary meta-analysis, 7 trials with a total of 2448 patients were enrolled. Results showed that lower level of GNRI was related to poorer overall survival (HR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.27, 2.50, p < 0.01) and worse progression-free survival (HR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.71, 3.13, p < 0.01) in DLBCL patients. CONCLUSION: The results of our meta-analysis indicate that a lower GNRI significantly associated with poorer prognosis for DLBCL. It is believed that GNRI was a promisingly predictive indicator of survival outcomes in DLBCL patients. However, large multicenter prospective studies are necessary to verify the results.

The prognostic value of DAAM2 in lower grade glioma, liver cancer, and breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 2 (DAAM2) is a formin protein and has a potential role in the tumor metastasis. The prognostic value of DAAM2 in pan-cancer is investigated in this study. METHODS: TCGA and GTEx database were downloaded to perform bioinformatics analysis and ROC curves. Then we explored protein-protein interaction and GO-KEGG enrichment to figure out the protein pathways associated with DAAM2 and studied DAAM2-related immune infiltration and methylation. Fifteen pairs of BRCA clinical samples were enrolled to determine the expression and distribution of DAAM2 in BRCA sections by immunohistochemistry. Finally, BRCA cells were transfected with siRNA targeting DAAM2 and subsequently subject to cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. RESULTS: DAAM2 was closely related to the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of lower grade glioma (LGG), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and breast cancer (BRCA). Survival curve analysis demonstrated DAAM2 served as a potential prognostic indicator of LGG and LIHC (P = 0.0029 and P = 0.025, respectively). DAAM2 was mainly participated in signaling pathways mediating cytoskeleton regulation and tumor development. The correlation of DAAM2 with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and methylation levels was conducive to the prediction of novel biomarkers of pan-carcinoma. DAAM2 was highly expressed in BRCA tissues than that in paracancerous tissues. The proliferation, invasion, and migration of BRCA cells were inhibited by DAAM2 siRNA. CONCLUSION: DAAM2 had a specific value in foretelling the prognosis of LGG, LIHC, and BRCA. High expression level of DAAM2 has longer survival rates in LGG and LIHC. The knockdown of DAAM2 retards the proliferation, invasion, and migration of BRCA cells. This study provides a novel sight of DAAM2 into the exploration of a potential biomarker in pan-cancer.

Identification of a cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) diseases are associated with the occurrence and development of tumors. This study aimed to investigate whether cuproptosis-related lncRNA can predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS: Cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognosis (CLPS) model was successfully constructed through cox regression and lasso regression analyses. Then, the prognostic value of CLPS model was tested through the survival analysis, the ROC curve and the nomogram. Finally, the correlation of CLPS model with tumor immunity and tumor mutation burden was analyzed, and the potential susceptibility of drugs for LUAD were predicted. RESULTS: CLPS model for LUAD (AC090948.1, CRIM1-DT, AC026356.2, AC004832.5, AL161431.1) was successfully constructed, which has an independent prognostic value. Furthermore, the risk score of CLPS model was correlated with tumor immune characteristics and immune escape, which can predict the sensitivity of drugs including Cisplatin, Etoposide, Gemcitabine, and Erlotinib. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it was found that CLPS model was associated with tumor immunity and tumor mutation load, which also predicted four potentially sensitive drugs for LUAD patients at different risks.

Significance of Chr9p22.1-p21.3 Deletion in Cancer Development: A Pan-cancer In Silico Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Deletions in chr9p22.1-21.3 locus have been related to the development of several types of cancer, mainly due to the presence of CDKN2A and CDKN2B genes. However, there are several other genes in the region with potential importance in tumorigenesis. We, therefore, aimed to analyze in silico the potential prognostic significance of alterations in copy number and expression of genes present in the chr9p22.1-21.3 locus in 33 TCGA datasets (approximately 10,000 patients). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed which of the 27 genes are expressed in the datasets. Additionally, we associated the deletion of the locus with survival (log rank analysis) and hazard ratio (HR) (univariate cox regression). Finally, we performed univariate, multivariate, and overall survival analyses in 13 datasets considering the expression of 10 genes present in the locus. RESULTS: We identified 10 genes of the chr9p22.1-21.3 locus expressed in the datasets (MLLT3, FOCAD, PTPLAD2, KLHL9, IFNE, MTAP, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, DMRTA1 and ELAVL2). Moreover, we found that deletion in at least 1 of these genes was associated with poor survival and increased HR in 13 datasets: adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), glioblastoma (GBM), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), low-grade glioma (LGG), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), mesothelioma (MESO), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD), rectum adenocarcinoma (READ), sarcoma (SARC) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Finally, we found an association of survival/HR and altered expression of MLLT3 in the MESO dataset, of FOCAD in the READ dataset, of PTPLAD2 in the KIRP dataset, of KLHL9 in the LGG and UCEC datasets, of IFNE in ACC, GBM, KIRC and LUAD datasets, of MTAP in LGG, LUAD and MESO datasets, of CDKN2A in the HNSC, KIRC and MESO datasets, of CDKN2B in the LGG and READ datasets, of DMRTA1 in SARC datasets and of ELAVL2 in the LGG dataset (p<0.01 for all associations). CONCLUSION: Besides CDKN2A and CDKN2B, numerous other genes are possibly related to cancer development, requiring further investigation.

Expert consensus of the Spanish Society of Pathology and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology on the determination of biomarkers in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer.

Pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer have a poor prognosis. In recent years, the development of new diagnostic techniques has enabled the identification of the main genetic alterations involved in the development of these tumours. Multiple studies have assessed the ability of certain biomarkers, such as BRCA in pancreatic cancer, IDH1 or FGFR2 in biliary tract cancer and microsatellite instability or NTRK fusions in an agnostic tumour fashion, to predict response to treatment.In this consensus, a group of experts selected by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP) reviewed the role played by these mutations in the process of carcinogenesis and their clinical implications. As a result, this article proposes a series of recommendations to optimize the determination of these biomarkers to help standardize the diagnosis and treatment of these tumours.

The clinical and prognostic significance of CMTM6/PD-L1 in oncology.

The recent discovery of CMTM6 and to a lesser extent CMTM4, two members of the chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family, as master positive regulators of PD-L1 expression, the primary ligand of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), on tumor and immune cells has opened new horizons for investigating the role of CMTM6/CMTM4 in different aspects of oncology including their clinical and prognostic values in different cancer types. The absence of a specific review article addressing the available results about the clinical and prognostic roles of CMTM6 alone and/or in combination with PD-L1 in cancer has encouraged us to write this paper.

Liver injury predicts overall mortality in severe COVID-19: a prospective multicenter study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The relationship between liver injury and mortality remains unclear in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of aminotransferases levels at hospital admission to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective study included 406 patients [57% male, aged 56 years] with COVID-19 hospitalized in 26 centers in Brazil. Overall, 36.7% (95% CI 32.1-41.5) presented at admission with severe disease requiring respiratory support. The prevalence of elevated ALT and AST levels at admission [> 2 × ULN] was 14.0% (95% CI 11.0-17.8) and 12.9% (95% CI 10.0-16.6), respectively. Sixty-two patients [15.3% (95% CI 12.1-19.1)] died during hospitalization and the overall mortality rate was 13.4 (10.5-17.2) deaths per 1000 persons-years. The 15-day-overall survival (95% CI) was significantly lower in patients with ALT levels ≥ 2 × ULN compared to those with ALT < 2 × ULN [67.1% (48.4-80.2) vs 83.4% (76.1-88.6), p = 0.001] and in those with AST levels ≥ 2 × ULN compared to those with AST < 2 × ULN [61.5% (44.7-74.6) vs 84.2% (76.5-89.5), p < 0.001]. The presence of elevated aminotransferases levels at hospital admission significantly increased the risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality adjusted for age-and-sex. Those findings were present in the subgroup of critically ill patients already admitted in need of respiratory support (n = 149), but not in patients without that requirement at admission (n = 257). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated aminotransferases at hospital admission predicted in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, especially in those with severe disease. Measurement of transaminases levels at hospital admission should be integrated to the care of patients with COVID-19 as an auxiliary strategy to identify patients at higher death risk.

Can Phase Angle in Newborns at Neonatal Intensive Care Units Be an Indicator of Mortality and Prognosis?

BACKGROUND: The bioelectrical impedance (BI) phase angle (PA), analyzed directly through BI analysis (BIA), is determined by tissue cellularity, representing a direct measure of cellular stability and, for this reason, has been studied and considered as an indicator of prognosis and nutrition status in adults and children. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine if PA can be an indicator of mortality and prognosis in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Transversal study conducted at a public NICU in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. All newborns, preterm and term, were considered eligible for the study if admission to the NICU occurred by the first hour of life. The Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology II, as well as the Perinatal Extension version, were developed to assess the risk of mortality for all newborns, measured within 12 hours of admission. BIA measurements were conducted using the tetrapolar BioScan Maltron 916, with single-frequency (50 kHz) tetrapolar BI. PA was calculated as the arc tangent: (Xc/R) x 180°/π. RESULTS: BIA was measured during the first 24 hours of admission for all newborns (n = 93), repeated between 24 and 48 hours (n = 79) and again after 7 days (n = 55), always when possible. PA measurements decreased in the first 48 hours in premature newborns, particularly among those who died. The premature newborns also showed a significant decrease from the first to the last PA measurement (P = .001). In addition, whereas full-term newborns showed an increase of PA at 1 week of life, preterm infants continued to have a decrease in values. For preterm newborns, PA measurements decreased and more sharply so for those who died. This result should be viewed with caution given the small number of deaths, but it should be investigated to understand the role of PA in the prognosis of NICU newborns. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute value of PA during the first 24 hours of life was not a good marker for severity or mortality. However, the decrease of PA between different moments of evaluation was a good marker of severity. The decrease of PA in the first 48 hours in premature newborns, and that when the decrease is more pronounced, may be indicative of mortality. The difference in PA values between these newborns is probably a significant variable for mortality and prognosis and not a cutoff value.

18F-FDG PET/CT as a prognostic factor in penile cancer.

PURPOSE: Penile cancer (PC) is a rare neoplasm with an aggressive behavior and variable prognosis. Lymph node (LN) involvement and pathological features of the primary lesion have been proven to be the most important survival factors. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose labelled with fluorine-18 (18F-FDG PET/CT) provides information on tumor staging and works as a prognostic factor, with promising results in other carcinomas. The aim of the present study is to evaluate PET/CT as a prognostic factor in PC. METHODS: Fifty-five patients (mean age 56.6 y) diagnosed with penile squamous cell carcinoma were prospectively evaluated from 2012 to 2014. All subjects underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before treatment and were regularly followed after surgery. RESULTS: Out of the 53 patients selected, 17 (32.1%) had localized disease (cT1-2) and 24 (45.3%) had palpable nodes (cN+). Partial penile amputation was performed in 38 patients (71.7%) and inguinal lymphadenectomy (LND) in 30 (56.6%). From the LND group, 16 (53.3%) presented with positive neoplastic cells (pN+). Patients with more aggressive disease had a significantly (p = 0.019) higher 18F-FDG tumor uptake (pSUVmax), while inguinal LN uptake (nSUVmax) was able to recognize metastatic LN (p = 0.039). Some pathological prognostic features, when presented, have shown significant changes in pSUVmax values. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed and specific cutoff values of pSUVmax were evaluated to determine sensitivity and specificity. Regarding regional LNs, PET/CT presented a 76.2% accuracy in cN+ patients. After a 39-month follow up, pSUVmax of 16.6 (p = 0.0001) and nSUVmax of 6.5 (p = 0.019) were established as the ideal values to predict cancer-specific survival. The multivariate analysis confirmed nSUVmax as a predictor for LN metastasis (p = 0.043) and pSUVmax as a mean to estimate survival rate (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed promising results on the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a prognostic tool for PC, using specific cutoff values of pSUVmax and nSUVmax.

Predictive value of hypoxia in advanced head and neck cancer after treatment with hyperfractionated radio-chemotherapy and hypoxia modification.

PURPOSE: Hypoxia has predictive value in head and neck cancer (HNC). It has been well described, albeit in a small number of clinical Centres. The aim of this study was to describe our experience using the polarographic probe technique to assess the predictive value of tumour oxygenation in patients with advanced HNC treated with hyperfractionated radio-chemotherapy. Hypoxia modification was induced using percutaneous spinal cord stimulation (SCS). METHODS/PATIENTS: Male patients (n = 12; stage IVb n = 8; IVa n = 4; mean age 58: range 46-70 years) with advanced HNC were evaluated. Planned therapy was hyperfractionated-radiotherapy, oral tegafur (precursor of 5-fluorouracil) and hypoxia modification using SCS. Pre-treatment analyses included: haemoglobin levels and tumour oxygenation (using the Eppendorf polarographic probe device). Oxygenation was expressed as median-pO2 (in mmHg) and hypoxia as the percentage of pO2 values ≤5 mmHg (HP5) and ≤2.5 mmHg (HP2.5). RESULTS: Lower haemoglobin levels were directly correlated with median pO2 (p = 0.017) and inversely correlated with HP5 (p = 0.020) and more advanced stages (IVb vs. IVa; p = 0.028). Patients who subsequently developed systemic metastasis had tumours that were more hypoxic, with lower median pO2 (p = 0.036) and higher HP5 (p = 0.036). The subgroup of patients with HP2.5 above the median (the most hypoxic tumours) had lower loco-regional control (p = 0.027), cause-specific survival (p = 0.008), and overall survival (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Higher tumour hypoxia showed predictive value in HNC in our study, and was significantly associated with lower overall survival, cause-specific survival, and loco-regional control. Tumour hypoxia determination could be used to select patients who would most benefit by hypoxia modification during chemo-radiotherapy of HNC.

Prognostic factors of protein-losing enteropathy in a Mexican cohort of patients with congenital heart disease, surgically corrected with Fontan procedure / Factores pronósticos de enteropatía perdedora de proteínas en una cohorte mexicana de pacientes con cardiopatía congénita, corregidas quirúrgicamente con cirugía de Fontan

Background: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a known postoperative complication affecting about 10% of patients surgically managed with Fontan procedure. The mortality rate associated with this complication increases to 50%. Objective: To determine the risk factors associated to the development of PLE in patients surgically managed with Fontan procedure. Methods: This was a case-cohort study, and the universe of the trial comprised all patients treated with univentricular surgery. We included male and female patients with congenital heart disease that conditioned a single ventricle syndrome. Those patients with previous intestinal disease causing protein loss, were excluded, cow's milk protein allergy, intestinal resection (previous or after heart surgery), use of cyclic parenteral nutrition or Fontan's dismantlement. Follow-up began immediately after hospital discharge from Fontan procedure. Outcome variable was the development of PLE; independent variables were some before and after surgery hemodynamic and echocardiographic variables, infections and treatment. Statistical analysis: We used measures of statistical dispersion and central tendency. Risk was calculated for each variable estimating the hazard ratio (HR), adjusted for confounding factors; and Kaplan-Meier estimator was used for survival analysis. Results: Eleven (26%) out from patients 42 developed PLE. The median of time between Fontan procedure and the development of this complication was five years. The prognostic variables were: systolic pressure of pulmonary artery between 12-15 mmHg, > 3 years between Glenn and Fontan procedures, aggravated chronic malnutrition, direct bilirubin values > 1.5 mg/dL, pulmonary resistances (APR) between 3-3.5 Wood units, previous hepatomegaly and pleural effusion > 6 day-period. The probability of dying from PLE was 63% in a 10-year period. Conclusions: The prognostic factors associated with PLE are previous hepatic damage and borderlines values of venous pressure.

Antecedentes: La enteropatía perdedora de proteínas (EPP) es una conocida complicación que afecta alrededor del 10% de los sujetos operados con el procedimiento de Fontan. La mortalidad asociada a esta complicación se eleva al 50%. Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de EPP en pacientes postoperados de procedimiento de Fontan. Métodos: Este es un estudio de caso-cohorte y el universo comprendió a todos los pacientes corregidos con cirugía univentricular. Se incluyeron pacientes de ambos géneros, con cardiopatías que condicionaran síndrome de ventrículo único. Se excluyeron aquellos con enfermedad previa intestinal causante de pérdida de proteínas, alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca, resección intestinal (previa o después de la cirugía cardiaca), aquellos con nutrición parenteral cíclica o desmantelamiento del Fontan. El inicio de seguimiento comenzó inmediatamente después del egreso de la cirugía de Fontan. La variable de desenlace fue el desarrollo de enteropatía perdedora de proteínas. Las variables independientes estudiadas fueron algunas variables hemodinámicas y ecocardiográficas pre- y postquirúrgicas, infecciones y tratamiento. Análisis estadístico: Se usaron medidas de dispersión y tendencia central. Se calculó el riesgo por cada variable, estimando el cociente de riesgo (Hazard Ratio, HR en inglés), ajustándose a variables de confusión. Se utilizó el estimador de Kaplan-Meier para el análisis de supervivencia. Resultados: Once de 42 pacientes (26%) desarrollaron EPP. La mediana de tiempo entre la cirugía de Fontan y el desarrollo de esta complicación fue de cinco años. Las variables pronósticas fueron presión sistólica de la arteria pulmonar entre 12-15 mmHg, el tiempo > 3 años entre las intervenciones de Glenn y Fontan, la desnutrición crónica agudizada, una cifra de bilirrubina directa > 1.5 mg/dL, URP entre 3 y 3.5 Unidades Wood, hepatomegalia previa y derrame > 6 días. La probabilidad de mortalidad al desarrollar EPP a 10 años fue de 63%. Conclusiones: Los factores pronósticos asociados a EPP son el daño hepático previo y las variables limítrofes de presión venosa.

p16 (INK4a) has clinicopathological and prognostic impact on oropharynx and larynx squamous cell carcinoma

CDKN2A encodes proteins such as p16 (INK4a), which negatively regulate the cell-cycle. Molecular genetic studies have revealed that deletions in CDKN2A occur frequently in cancer. Although p16 (INK4a) may be involved in tumor progression, the clinical impact and prognostic implications in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the immunohistochemical expression of p16 (INK4a) in 40 oropharynx and 35 larynx from HNSCC patients treated in a single institution and followed-up at least for 10 years in order to explore potential associations with clinicopathological outcomes and prognostic implications. Forty cases (53.3%) were positive for p16 (INK4a) and this expression was more intense in non-smoking patients (P = 0.050), whose tumors showed negative vascular embolization (P = 0.018), negative lymphatic permeation (P = 0.002), and clear surgical margins (P = 0.050). Importantly, on the basis of negative p16 (INK4a) expression, it was possible to predict a probability of lower survival (P = 0.055) as well as tumors presenting lymph node metastasis (P = 0.050) and capsular rupture (P = 0.0010). Furthermore, increased risk of recurrence was observed in tumors presenting capsular rupture (P = 0.0083). Taken together, the alteration in p16 (INK4a) appears to be a common event in patients with oropharynx and larynx squamous cell carcinoma and the negative expression of this protein correlated with poor prognosis.

Prognostic Value of Ki 67 Proliferation Antigen in Canine Malignant Mammary Gland Tumours

Canine malignant mammary gland tumours were surgically resected from 78 dogs to determine the prognostic value of Ki 67 Proliferation antigen. After post surgical follow up for minimum of 1 year, 48 dogs were still alive, while 21 dogs had died as a consequence of malignancy, while remaining nine dogs showed recurrence of tumour. Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded histological sections were immunostained with monoclonal antibody Ki 67 (MIB -1). At least 100 cells in eight to 10 representative fields were counted. The Ki 67 index was expressed as the percentage of positive cells. In malignant canine mammary gland tumours, Ki 67 index ranged from 2.23 to 26.34 (14.45 ± 0.51). A statistically significant difference in the Ki 67 index (P< 0.05) was found between alive and dead group of dogs. Ki 67 index correlated with histological staging as most tumours in stage II had higher Ki 67 index and showed tumour related deaths. A clear association between the death due to malignancy and Ki 67 index was evident using Ki 67 index median count cut off value of 14.27 Thus Ki 67 index was good indicator of malignancy and dogs having Ki67 index greater than 14.27 have poor prognosis for mammary gland tumours.(AU)

Prognostic value of Ki 67 proliferation antigen in canine malignant mammary gland tumours

Canine malignant mammary gland tumours were surgically resected from 78 dogs to determine the prognostic value of Ki 67 Proliferation antigen. After post surgical follow up for minimum of 1 year, 48 dogs were still alive, while 21 dogs had died as a consequence of malignancy, while remaining nine dogs showed recurrence of tumour. Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded histological sections were immunostained with monoclonal antibody Ki 67 (MIB -1). At least 100 cells in eight to 10 representative fields were counted. The Ki 67 index was expressed as the percentage of positive cells. In malignant canine mammary gland tumours, Ki 67 index ranged from 2.23 to 26.34 (14.45 ± 0.51). A statistically significant difference in the Ki 67 index (P 0.05) was found between alive and dead group of dogs. Ki 67 index correlated with histological staging as most tumours in stage II had higher Ki 67 index and showed tumour related deaths. A clear association between the death due to malignancy and Ki 67 index was evident using Ki 67 index median count cut off value of 14.27 Thus Ki 67 index was good indicator of malignancy and dogs having Ki67 index greater than 14.27 have poor prognosis for mammary gland tumours. 

Valor pronóstico y discriminatorio de la interleucina-6 y la proteína C-reactiva en la meningitis / Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein and its prognosis and differentiation value in meningitis

La meningitis se caracteriza por una marcada respuesta inflamatoria en el espacio subaracnoideo, que se acompaña de la producción intratecal de múltiples mediadores entre los que se hallan citocinas como el factor de necrosis tumoral alfa, la interleucina-1-beta y la interleucina-6. El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar la concentración de interleucina-6 (IL-6) y proteína C-reactiva en el líquido cefalorraquídeo y el suero de pacientes con meningitis; determinar la posible relación entre estas concentraciones y la etiología de la meningitis; y precisar si existe asociación entre estas variables y la estadía hospitalaria. Se seleccionó una muestra de 18 pacientes con meningitis: 6 pacientes con diagnóstico de meningitis de etiología bacteriana y 12 pacientes con diagnóstico de meningitis aséptica. A ambos grupos se les realizó cuantificación de IL-6 y proteína C-reactiva en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y el suero, además, citología y proteínas en LCR. Las concentraciones de IL-6 en el líquido cefalorraquídeo en la meningitis bacteriana resultaron superiores a las del suero de estos pacientes y a las del LCR y suero de pacientes con meningitis aséptica. La proteína C-reactiva alcanzó cifras superiores en el suero de la meningitis bacteriana. La concentración de IL-6 en líquido se correlacionó directamente con la estadía hospitalaria. La concentración de IL-6 en el líquido cefalorraquídeo y de la proteína C-reactiva en el suero puede contribuir a la precisión del diagnóstico diferencial entre meningitis aséptica y bacteriana. La concentración de IL-6 en el LCR permite valorar la envergadura del proceso inflamatorio que tiene lugar en el sistema nervioso central en la meningitis. La concentración de IL-6 selectivamente elevada en el LCR es un marcador de la compartimentalización de la respuesta inflamatoria y un potencial indicador del daño en el sistema nervioso central en la meningitis bacteriana.

Meningitis is characterized by a marked inflammatory response in subarachnoid space, accompanied by the intrathecal production of many mediators including cytokines as ß-tumor necrosis factor, â-interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. The aim of present paper was to estimate the concentration of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and in serum from meningitis patients; to determine the possible relation among these concentrations, and meningitis etiology, and to set if there is an association among these variables and hospital stay. A sample of 18 patients presenting with meningitis was selected: 6 patients diagnosed with meningitis of bacterial origin and 12 patients diagnosed with aseptic meningitis. In both groups we quantified interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in CSF and in serum, as well as cytology and proteins in CSF. Concentrations of interleukin-6 in CSF in bacterial meningitis were higher than those of serum from these patients, and than those of CSF and serum from aseptic meningitis patients. C-reactive protein reached figures higher in bacterial meningitis serum. Interleukin-6 concentration in CSF was directly correlated with hospital stay. Interleukin-6 in CSF and of C-reactive protein in serum may to contribute to the accuracy in differential diagnosis between aseptic meningitis and the bacterial one. Interleukin-6 concentration in CSF allows us to assess the significance of inflammatory process in the CNS in meningitis. The selectively high interleukin-6 concentration in CSF is a marker to compartmentalize the inflammatory response, and a potential damage indicator in CNS in bacterial meningitis.